David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the ambassador and her team here today. I thank her for her presentation. I want to focus on one particular issue which other speakers have focused on. None of us wants war and it beggars belief to even think of a war or the invasion of Ukraine. It is very hard to contemplate it.

The ambassador said in her presentation that there is also an economic and financial dimension to aggression. Could she let us know what is the situation from an economic point of view in Ukraine? How is the economy doing? What impact has Covid-19 had on Ukraine and its people?

I also note that a deep and comprehensive free trade agreement was signed in 2014 with the European Union. Could the ambassador describe Ukraine's economic relationship with the EU at the moment and also its aspirations for EU membership? Could she also comment on Nord Stream 2? What is the government's view on it, where it should go and the impact it may have, and what should happen to it?

Currently, Ukraine has 1.5 million refugees in addition to the 43 million people living in Ukraine. Could she talk about where the refugees have come from, how they are doing and how they are being treated? It is a debate we have had as well for some time.

The ambassador mentioned the use of gas as a weapon. What is Ukraine's situation regarding energy and gas at the moment and how does she envisage it in the future?